MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – Congratulations to Emergency Management Coordinator Arthur Abline on his well-deserved retirement, following 44 years of dedicated service to Manchester Township!
Since beginning his career in Manchester Township as a Dispatcher in 1977, Coordinator Abline has dedicated himself to this town, ensuring the safety of our residents and first responders.
Arthur was celebrated with a luncheon, and later received parting mementos including a plaque from PBA 246 during his final muster. As Chief Robert Dolan noted, Coordinator Abline leaves big shoes to fill, as his institutional knowledge and experience are unmatched. “Thank you, Art, for your service, dedication, and friendship,” said Chief Robert Dolan. “You will be missed.”
He has been involved with every FEMA declared disaster since 1984, including Hurricane Irene and the major flooding that ensued. He served as Incident Commander for the Reade Manufacturing explosion and fire in 2000; the explosion and fire at The Pines at Whiting in 2005, and the forest fire in the Wynnewood development in 1995. Coordinator Abline is always working behind the scenes to better our township. His persistence and hard work over an 18-month process led to the award of a $500,000 grant to install a generator at the Municipal Complex. He has also played an instrumental role in managing COVID-related grant funding and ensuring the township receives reimbursement for those pandemic expenses.
“It has been a pleasure working with the past and present employees of the Township and I will forever cherish the relationships and friendship I have made over the years,” Coordinator Abline said.
To cap off an extraordinary career, Coordinator Abline was awarded this past October with the New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association (NJEPA) “Emergency Manager of the Year” for 2020.